Ureaplasma parvum and Ureaplasma urealyticum are detected in semen after washing before assisted reproductive technology procedures  Christine L Knox, Ph.D., John A Allan, F.R.A.C.O.G., Janet M Allan, M.B.B.S., W.Rohini Edirisinghe, Ph.D., Deborah Stenzel, Ph.D., Felicity A Lawrence, M.Sc., David M Purdie, Ph.D., Peter Timms, Ph.D.  Fertility and Sterility  Volume 80, Issue 4, Pages 921-929 (October 2003) DOI: 10.1016/S0015-0282(03)01125-7

Figure 1 (a), Transmission electron microscopy appearance of pleomorphic ureaplasmas cultured from semen of patient 258. The ureaplasmas were observed as single ovoid cells or in branching aggregate forms. The size bar is equal to 100 nm. (b), Budding ureaplasmas (arrow) in the same sample. Knox. Ureasplasmas detected in washed semen.Fertil Steril 2003. Fertility and Sterility 2003 80, 921-929DOI: (10.1016/S0015-0282(03)01125-7)

Figure 2 Indirect immunofluorescence assay staining of semen and washed semen. (a), Washed semen sample from patient 231, demonstrating immunofluorescence in the midpieces. This sample was blocked with skim milk and incubated with anti–Ureaplasma parvum serovar 3 rabbit antisera and goat anti–rabbit Alex Fluor 568 secondary antibody. This sample tested ureaplasma negative by culture and mba PCR. Immunofluorescence was not detected in the semen sample (prepared by using the same method) of this same patient before washing. (b), Immunofluorescence on the acrosome of spermatozoa from patient 258. (c), Immunofluorescence on the acrosome of washed spermatozoa from patient 258. Both the semen and washed semen samples of this patient tested positive for ureaplasmas by culture and polymerase chain reaction. These samples were first blocked with the blocking mixture then incubated with rabbit anti–U. urealyticum (pooled antisera of 10 serovars) followed by anti–rabbit Alex Fluor 568 secondary antibody. Control samples of semen and washed semen (from patient 258) were prepared using the same method, but the primary anti-ureaplasma antibody was omitted; no immunofluorescence was detected. Knox. Ureaplasmas detected in washed semen.Fertil Steril 2003. Fertility and Sterility 2003 80, 921-929DOI: (10.1016/S0015-0282(03)01125-7)